Our condolences go out to Alicia Shepard’s family and friends, especially her husband David and her son Cutter.

Lisa was a long time supporter of the RFK Journalism Awards and served many years on the RFKJournalism Committee. She was working on this year’s awards right up until shortly before her death.

Reporter, professor, ombudsman and author,she was also a natural mentor and brought all of those skills to helping steer the administration of the Awards and in her thoughtful deliberations when selecting the Grand Prize winners.

She had an appetite for adventure, an innate curiosity and showed courage in her work, exemplified by the time she spent in Afghanistan working with journalists there. We will miss Lisa’s dedication, commitment to honoring journalism that makes a difference, her thoughtful analyses and good humor.